Mukankuranga Marie Jeanne, widely known as Mariya Yohana, recounted her journey from taking part in Rwanda's liberation struggle to dedicating her life to promoting Rwandan culture through music.

Joining the Liberation Struggle

Mariya Yohana fled Rwanda to Uganda in 1961 with her husband, just eight days after giving birth to their first child. While in exile, she worked as a primary school teacher and used music to educate children about their homeland. In 1987, when the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) started organizing, she began composing songs to support the liberation effort and boost morale. Her song Intsinzi, composed in 1992, inspired hope among

fighters and supporters before the war was won.

Rebuilding After Liberation

After the liberation, Mariya Yohana returned to Rwanda in 1994, but her journey was marked by personal loss—her two sons died during the war, and her only daughter passed away later. Despite these hardships, she continued to rebuild her life and focused on teaching Kinyarwanda and promoting Rwandan culture through music. In 2015, she joined Urukerereza, the national troupe, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.

Music for Healing and Remembrance

In 1995, she began composing songs to help survivors heal and remember the past. These songs became a way to comfort those who had endured loss and to encourage unity and resilience among Rwandans.

A Message to the Youth

Mariya Yohana encourages young people to recognize and protect Rwanda's achievements. She urges them to embrace Rwandan culture and values while learning from past struggles to build a better future for their country.